Saul, upon reflection, concluding it dangerous to execute any open act of violence against this young hero, politically hoped to ensnare him, by exalting him high in favour, or to get rid of him by putting him upon his mettle, in performing feats of valour; for a deficiency of valour is not to be numbered among David's faults. It was with this view that the king yet required of him an hundred Philistine foreskins(7) as the condition of becoming his son-in-law. He produced double the number "in full tale."(8) * 1 Sam. xxii. 7. ** Ch. xviii. 8. *** Ver. 9. **** Ver. 11. (5) Ver. 17. (6) Ver. 10. (7) Ver. 23., Ver. 25. (according to Josephus 600 heads). (8) 1 Sam. xviii. 27. This demand, after David appeals to have fulfilled the prescribed conditions, seems not only unjust, but also, even making allowance for Hebrew customs, very ridiculously expressed. It must have been a glorious sight to have seen David bring the foreskins to king Saul, strung perhaps on a piece of pack-thread, and dangling in his hand, or thrown across his shoulders like a sash: and if Miss Michal was present, how must her pretty little heart exult when the required number being told off, as many more were gallantly presented at her feet! David still advanced in his military** reputation, and met with a powerful advocate in the person of Jonathan, his brother-in-law and faithful friend, who effected a temporary reconciliation between him and Saul;*** at which time Saul swore he would no more attempt his life. Nevertheless, whether it was that he could not get the better of his jealousy, or that he discovered more than is transmitted down to us, we know not; consequences incline us to the last conjecture: Saul made two more attempts to kill him;**** from one of which he was protected by his wife Michal; and finding it not safe to stay at court, he fled to Samuel, in Ramah.(5) Hither Saul sent messengers to apprehend him;(6) but these, it seems, seeing Samuel presiding over a company of prophets, and prophesying, were seized with a spirit of prophesying also; and not only so, but it is related that Saul finding this, went at last himself, to just the same purpose; for he likewise prophesied,(7) stripping off his cloaths, in which ridiculous condition he continued for a day and a night. ** Ver. 30. xix. 8. *** Ver. 4. **** Ver. 10, 11. (5) Ver. 18. (6) Ver. 20. (7) Ver. 23.